Press Releases

CruiseDirect Wins Two 2025 Magellan Awards for AI Innovation and Sustainable Travel Awards

OCTOBER 11, 2025

MORRISTOWN, N.J — CruiseDirect.com, a leading online cruise booking platform under International Voyager Inc., has been recognized with two 2025 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, one of the most respected honors in the global travel industry. The accolades celebrate CruiseDirect’s achievements in AI-driven technology innovation and purpose-driven marketing, reaffirming its position as a pioneer in modern cruise booking. 

CruiseDirect received two top distinctions at the 2025 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. The agency was awarded for its AI-Powered Cruise Agent in the Travel Advisor Organizations: Marketing, Website category, and for its One Tree Planted Program in the Travel Advisor Organizations: Marketing, Promotions with Purpose category. These awards reflect CruiseDirect’s commitment to making travel easier, more intelligent, and more sustainable through advanced technology and a clear focus on environmental responsibility. 

The AI-Powered Cruise Agent simplifies how travelers plan cruises and creates a smoother booking experience. The feature is built directly into the CruiseDirect platform and allows guests to ask clear, natural questions such as “Which cruise lines are best for families?” or “Are drinks included on this itinerary?” The tool gives immediate, reliable answers without forcing users to search through menus or pages. This makes the booking process faster and easier from start to finish. Guests stay within the same flow, receive the details they need instantly, and complete their reservations with confidence. The result is a streamlined, intuitive experience that helps travelers make informed choices and feel supported throughout their journey with CruiseDirect. 

This conversational capability eliminates the barriers in online travel searches, empowering guests to make informed decisions in real time. By combining AI precision with CruiseDirect’s deep industry knowledge, the platform offers a streamlined, human-like experience that improves confidence and conversion throughout the customer journey. 

The agency’s One Tree Planted Program underscores the company’s long-term focus on sustainability. For every cabin booked, a tree is planted through its partnership with the nonprofit One Tree Planted. Since launching on Earth Day 2024, CruiseDirect travelers have helped fund the planting of more than 25,000 trees worldwide. The program encourages guests to take part in positive environmental action and connects each booking to a lasting global impact. 

Through these initiatives, CruiseDirect continues to use technology and purpose-driven programs to enhance the travel experience while supporting the planet.

“Earning two Magellan Awards in the same year is a proud moment for our entire team,” said John Maguire, CEO of International Voyager Inc., “We’ve always believed that technology and responsibility should advance together. The AI-Powered Cruise Agent helps travelers plan with confidence, while our One Tree Planted initiative ensures that every booking supports a healthier planet. These awards recognize that balance and reaffirm our vision for the future of travel.” 

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards recognize excellence across all areas of travel and hospitality, including design, marketing, and service innovation. Each year, a panel of experienced industry professionals evaluates submissions from leading brands worldwide. The program highlights organizations that set higher standards for creativity, customer experience, and measurable results in the travel industry. 

About CruiseDirect: 

CruiseDirect is an award-winning online cruise booking platform committed to making travel planning effortless and rewarding. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, CruiseDirect partners with the world’s premier cruise lines to provide competitive pricing, exclusive promotions, and expert service. With a focus on technology, transparency, and sustainability, CruiseDirect continues to redefine how travelers discover and book their dream vacations. 

About the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards

Travel Weekly is proud to present the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. From design to marketing to services, the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honors the best in travel and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. Winners are featured in an October issue of Travel Weekly that will include a section dedicated to this year’s winners and will also receive a custom produced statuette. More information can be found at https://www.travelweeklyawards.com/winners/.

 

Our Partners

International Voyager continues to evolve and excel in a very fast paced and ever changing industry. John Maguire and his team deliver our brand as well as their customers with cutting edge technology and personal touch service. International Voyager’s team is creative, goal driven and will buck the status quo. It is these attributes that distinguish International Voyager from other travel companies and why we hold them in high regard. 

Adolfo Perez

Senior Vice President
Carnival Cruise Line
#

Cruise Direct and Costa Cruises have enjoyed a longstanding business relationship driven by their team's passion for the industry, their clients and our guests. They are experts at matching their cruise clients to the appropriate product thus insuring an enjoyable and memorable vacation experience. We appreciate their knowledge and enthusiasm for Cruising Italian Style on Costa which has resulted in outstanding customer satisfaction.

‎Scott Knutson

VP Sales & Marketing
Costa Cruises
#

International Voyager and Celebrity Cruises have been working together for the last 10 years, and we have been able to forge a successful partnership, mainly due to them having an elite executive team, cutting edge technology and dynamic booking engine. I am confident that this partnership will continue to thrive and evolve for ten more years and beyond.

Dondra Ritzenthaler

Senior Vice President, Sales
Celebrity Cruises
#

International Voyager is an incredible partner to Royal Caribbean. They know the importance of having a human touch in this industry, even when operating as an online travel agency. Customer service comes first for them and it’s clearly taken them far. Simply by ensuring that each and every customer is satisfied, they’ve built a following of loyal repeat clients. Royal Caribbean couldn’t ask for a more trusted partner to plan our guests’ crusie vacations.

Vicki Freed

Senior Vice President
Royal Caribbean International
#

International Voyager has been a valuable member of Vacation.com and we are very proud of the relationship we share with them. They are very passionate about selling travel and are focused on selling Vacation.com preferred suppliers. They also recognize the value of their Vacation.com membership by taking full advantage of programs we offer. We enjoy working with International Voyager and look forward to continued success.

John Lovell

President
Travel Leaders Network and Leisure Group
#

Norwegian Cruise Line has enjoyed a great decade long relationship with International Voyager. They have the unique quality of being able to handle large volume with personal, intimate service because of their flexible technology that matches marketing to customers based on their personal behavior.  The International Voyager team is also one of the most nimble teams in the industry, allowing them to take advantage of our ever-changing environment.

Andy Stuart

Former President & CEO
Norwegian Cruise Line
#

Vacations Start Here

For over 15 years, more than 33 million visitors and over 500,000 clients have enjoyed our award-winning service here at International Voyager. We’re proud to say that we offer responsive, hassle-free vacation planning for global travelers. Our multi-lingual websites offer rich, inspiring content, but that’s not all. Our interactive maps, smart search filters, and dynamic packaging — combined with our simple planning and booking platform — means you get an industry-best experience.

We negotiate the best rates and deals from our premier international travel partners, too. Everyone deserves to relax — our flexible payment plans ensure it. We’re thrilled to inspire bucket lists, family reunions, honeymoons, and dream vacations.

That’s why Vacations Start Here.

Visitors33m +

CLIENTS500,000 +

Experience15yr +

Copyright 2024 | All Rights Reserved